Dodgers News: Dalton Rushing Leaves Game Early with Right Leg Injury
The Dodgers have lost both catchers over the last three days to injury...
BALTIMORE, MA—Not only did the Los Angeles Dodgers drop Game One to the Baltimore Orioles in walk-off fashion, giving the team their fourth striaght loss, but they also lost young catcher Dalton Rushing possibly for an extended period.
During yesterday’s game, young backstop Dalton Rushing fouled a ball off his right leg, just above his leg guard in the sixth inning. After the hefty swing the switch-hitting slugger fell to the ground in pain.
Rushing writhing in pain on the ground as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and trainer Yosuke “Possum” Nakajima examined him. They eventually assisted in carrying Rushing off the field, as he couldn’t bear weight on his right leg.
The Dodgers announced during the game that Rushing left with a right lower leg contusion.
Alex Call completed Rushing’s at-bat, then Ben Rortvedt took over behind the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rortvedt joined the Dodgers on Thursday after Smith was deemed unavailable due to a foul ball hit off his right hand.
Before Rushing’s injury, manager Dave Roberts stated that Smith would not be included in the Dodgers’ lineup for the rest of the road trip. The team might consider making a change in the next two days, but only if it doesn’t risk Smith’s health.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that the inital X-rays for Rushing’s leg were neagative but that he’d undergo a CT can on Saturday morning.
“Ben will catch tomorrow,” Roberts said. “We’re going to bring another catcher, just to see if there’s a potential IL for Dalton.”
This could result in Rortvedt becoming the Dodgers’ main catcher for now. If Smith and Rushing are expected to miss additional time beyond the next few days, the Dodgers will need to rely more on their organizational depth at that position.
Two other options for the Dodgers if Dalton Rushing needs to head to the injured list are Chuckie Robinson and Chris Okey, who are both with the Triple-A OKC Comets.
Another option for the team is to acquire a catcher from outside the organization via free agency or waivers. However, signing a new player at this stage of the season would make them ineligible for the postseason.
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